The Incidence of Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery Among Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Rates of abdominopelvic surgery, with a particular focus on gallbladder procedures, were measured in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (n= 108,936) and compared with those in a general population sample (n= 223,082). The patient sample was selected from persons who were members of a managed care organization during the years 1995–2000. Medical records from a randomly selected subset of IBS patients were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Crude and standardized rates and adjusted rate ratios for surgery were calculated. The incidence of abdominopelvic surgery, excluding gallbladder procedures, was 87% higher in patients with IBS than that for the general population. The incidence of gallbladder surgery was threefold higher in IBS patients than the general population. Patients with IBS have an increased risk for abdominopelvic and gallbladder surgery and, thus, an associated risk for experiencing morbidity and mortality associated with these surgical procedures.